Secaucus will be buzzing with activity in the days leading up to the Super Bowl in MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, as Mayor Michael Gonnelli, the Town Council, and other sponsors have planned an entertaining and fun slate of activities known collectively as the “Winter Blast.”

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and the number one sporting event in the country,” said Gonnelli in explaining the town’s reason for holding the events.

“We want to show people what and where Secaucus is,” he said. “This is an opportunity to introduce them to us, and have them come back to eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores. We’re trying to show them our proximity to New York, and how it’s more affordable to stay here. We’re trying to market the community.”

Secaucus’ observance of the National Football League title game will begin on Saturday, Jan. 25, with the town’s Super Ball Gala/Fire and Ice Fashion Show in the atrium at 500 Plaza Dr. from 7 to 11 p.m.

“At the Super Ball Gala, attendees will enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and silent and live auctions, consisting of jewelry, sports memorabilia, fantasy trips, and designer handbags,” said Lee Penna, community outreach coordinator. “A fashion show, to highlight the designer outlets in our town, and live entertainment will also be provided.”

_____________ “A three-day, ‘Pregame Before the Game’ celebration will take place two miles from MetLife Stadium, in the heart of the Town of Secaucus.” – Lee Penna____________

The momentum will continue on Monday, Jan. 27, when the Junior U.S. Olympic Synchronized Ice Skating Team, the Synchroettes, entertain at 6 p.m. at the town ice skating rink just off of Route 3.

“The team’s performance will be followed by skating lessons, pictures, and autograph signing,” Penna said.

‘Pregame before the game’

Then the fun really begins. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, the weekend of Super Bowl XLVIII, “a three-day, ‘Pregame Before the Game’ celebration will take place two miles from MetLife Stadium, in the heart of the Town of Secaucus,” Penna said. It will take place in Buchmuller Park, 150 Plaza Ctr.

The activities will include a number of hockey games, an array of food trucks, and a beer garden hosted by Charlie’s Corner bar. In addition, radio stations will be onsite Friday and Saturday nights providing music, prizes, and other giveaways. There will be open skating at the rink during non-game times.

Family fun will take place on the park’s Little League field, according to Penna, including interactive games and activities, a vendor village, fashion trucks, and live musical performances.

The days and hours will be: Thursday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 31, from 4 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Tickets & other info

Tickets can be purchased prior to Winter Blast at a discount at northjerseyevents.com or at full price the day of the affair. The admission prices for the Super Ball Gala/Fashion Show and Winter Blast can be found at the site. At press time, the entry fee for the Olympic Ice Skating Team demonstration had not been determined.

Children under 10 will be admitted free. Wristbands will be distributed to each person each day.

Helping those in need

What’s great about the slate of events is that those attending will also be helping worthy causes, according to Penna.

“A portion of the proceeds from all these events benefit the Secaucus Emergency Fund, K&S, and Spectrum works,” she said. The town’s volunteer fire department, which will handle safety, security, and off-site parking, will also benefit from the charitable proceeds, the mayor said. All the rest of the monies received will fund the cost of the events.

The Secaucus Emergency Fund helps town residents with various needs, K&S is a club which assists residents and families facing hard times or challenges, and Spectrum Works is a non-profit company which assimilates individuals with autism into the workplace.

There will be dedicated shuttle buses to off-site parking locations, and their schedules will be posted on northjerseyevents.com.

Secaucus will be providing security for the celebration, as well as at off-site parking locations.

Among the event sponsors are Anheuser-Busch, Heineken, the Sports Authority, and Houlihan’s. For more information on the events, contact exposure@northjersey.com or northjerseyevents.com or call Rebecca Cardenas at (973) 569-7367.